id not understand this, and
made no reply to it. "I don't know whether you have heard that Mr.
Clavering intends to--give up the living."

"I have not heard it. I have thought it probable that he would do so."

"He has made up his mind that he will. The fact is that if he held it,
he must neglect either that or the property." We will not stop at this
moment to examine what Mr. Saul's ideas must have been as to the
exigencies of the property, which would leave no time for the
performance of such clerical duties as had fallen for some years past to
the share of the rector himself. "He hopes that he may be allowed to
take some part in the services, but he means to resign the living."

"I suppose that will not much affect me for the little time that I have
to remain."

"We think it will affect you, and hope that it may. Mr. Clavering wishes
you to accept the living."

"To accept the living?" And for a moment even Mr. Saul looked as though
he were surprised.

"Yes, Mr. Saul."

"To be rector of Clavering?"

"If you see no objection to such an arrangement."

"It is a most munificent offer, but as strange as it is munificent.
Unless, indeed--" And then some glimpse of the truth made its way into
the chinks of Mr. Saul's mind.

"Mr. Clavering would, no doubt, have made the offer to you himself had
it not been that I can, perhaps, speak to you about dear Fanny better
than he could. Though our prudence has not been quite to your mind, you
can, at any rate, understand that we might very much object to her
marrying you when there was nothing for you to live on, even though we
had no objection to yourself personally."

"But Mr. Clavering did object on both grounds."

"I was not aware that he had done so; but if so, no such objection is
now made by him--or by me. My idea is that a child should be allowed to
consult her own heart, and to indulge her own choice, provided that in
doing so she does not prepare for herself a life of indigence, which
must be a life of misery; and of course providing also that there be no
strong personal objection."

"A life of indigence need not be a life of misery," said Mr. Saul, with
that obstinacy which formed so great a part of his character.

"Well, well."

"I am very indigent, but I am not at all miserable. If we are to be made
miserable by that, what is the use of all our teaching?"

"But, at any rate a competence is comfortable."

"Too comfortable!" As Mr. Saul made this excla